Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing the barrel of an underwater gun between firings is disclosed. The apparatus clears the barrel and/or prevents water from entering the barrel based on pressure variations.

Abstract: A system and method for actuating a hatch door. One embodiment includes a vertical launcher system that has a hatch door disposed in a plane at the top of a hold. The hatch door includes a leading edge and a trailing edge at opposite ends of the hatch door. When an actuator arm for maneuvering the hatch door is extended, the leading edge is lifted away from the plane by the actuator arm while the trailing edge remains in the plane and slides across the top of the plane toward the point where the leading edge was first lifted away. Such a sliding hatch mechanism allows for quick opening and closing of a hatch door while providing more efficient use of mechanical energy for breaking ice build up or prevent intrusion.

Abstract: A technique for generating good system decompositions is disclosed. The illustrative embodiment uses evolutionary programming in combination with a fitness function to generate a system decomposition that has a low degree of coupling and a high degree of coherence. A system is represented by an object-oriented specification using the Unified Modeling Language (UML); the UML specification is then represented by an eXtended Markup Language (XML) document, and the contents of the document are transformed into a nested-list data structure that resembles source code in a functional programming language such as Common LISP. The nested-list data structure and an appropriate fitness function are input to an evolutionary programming engine that operates on the nested-list data structure as though it were a source code program, and generates an output source code program. A system decomposition is then derived from the output source code program.

Abstract: A method and system of routing information packets through a network is presented. The method may include receiving an information packet at a node in a network, wherein the information packet contains information relating to a new metric, forming a new routing protocol based on the new metric information contained in the information packet, and implementing the new routing protocol on the node, wherein the new routing protocol computes routing information based on the new metric information.

Abstract: Methods of making multi-layered, hydrogen-containing thermite structures including at least one metal layer and at least one metal oxide layer adjacent to the metal layer are disclosed. At least one of the metal layers contains hydrogen, which can be introduced by plasma hydrogenation. The thermite structures can have high hydrogen contents and small dimensions, such as micrometer-sized and nanometer-sized dimensions.

Abstract: A radar system for detecting the presence of threat providing electronic manmade devices placed in a given area of operation comprising: a radar transmitter for transmitting a radar signal designated as a probe signal to the given area of operation to cause said threat providing devices to produce anomalous energy signals, a radar receiver for receiving a reflected radar signal from said area of operation including said anomalous energy signals, designated as Target Anomalous Response (TAR) signals, a circuit responsive to the received signal for processing the signal to detect the (TAR) anomalous energy signals indicative of a threat producing device.

Abstract: A T/R module utilizes a low noise amplifier in both the transmit and receive modes. In this manner the low noise amplifier enables one to provide a T/R module which has reduced prime power and lower weight and particularly useful in airship radar systems and spaced based radar systems. The low noise amplifier is switched between a receive and a transmit mode by switching mechanism which in the receive mode enables the antenna to be directed to the input of the low noise amplifier with the output of the low noise amplifier directed to a phase shifter and attenuator. The switching operates in a transmit mode where the output of the low noise amplifier is connected to the input of the antenna while the input of the low noise amplifier is now connected to the phase shifter and attenuator for providing a transmit signal. The invention has an additional benefit of enabling linear Class A operation in the transmit mode in both radar and communication systems supporting beam shaping and waveform shaping capabilities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus use a photonic-crystal fiber having a very large core while maintaining a single transverse mode. In some fiber lasers and amplifiers having large cores problems exist related to energy being generated at multiple-modes (i.e., polygamy), and of mode hopping (i.e., promiscuity) due to limited control of energy levels and fluctuations. The problems of multiple-modes and mode hopping result from the use of large-diameter waveguides, and are addressed by the invention. This is especially true in lasers using large amounts of energy (i.e., lasers in the one-megawatt or more range). By using multiple small waveguides in parallel, large amounts of energy can be passed through a laser, but with better control such that the aforementioned problems can be reduced. An additional advantage is that the polarization of the light can be maintained better than by using a single fiber core.

Abstract: A composition includes a carbon nanotube (CNT)-infused glass fiber material, which includes a glass fiber material of spoolable dimensions and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) bonded to it. The CNTs are uniform in length and distribution. A continuous CNT infusion process includes: (a) disposing a carbon-nanotube forming catalyst on a surface of a glass fiber material of spoolable dimensions; and (b) synthesizing carbon nanotubes on the glass fiber material, thereby forming a carbon nanotube-infused glass fiber material. The continuous CNT infusion process optionally includes extruding a glass fiber material from a glass melt or removing sizing material from a pre-fabricated glass fiber material.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments disclosed herein relate to online survey systems and/or methods. In certain example embodiments, the questions to be asked are substantially insulated from an application that asks the questions. This abstraction may be accomplished in certain example embodiments by dynamically generating a computer-accessible (e.g., web-based) survey from one or more definition files. For example, a survey may be defined via a response definition file and a user interface definition file, thereby enabling the definition files to be read and the survey to be presented with the appropriate questions, validations, and transformations being specified by the response definition file, and with the look and feel being specified by the user interface definition file. Answers to questions may be persisted for a respondent in a storage location remote from the respondent. Such online surveys systems and/or methods may be suitable for census-related activities.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube-infused fiber and a method for its production are disclosed. Nanotubes are synthesized directly on a parent fiber by first applying a catalyst to the fiber. The properties of the carbon nanotube-infused fiber will be a combination of those of the parent fiber as well as those of the infused carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments disclosed herein relate to online survey systems and/or methods. In certain example embodiments, the questions to be asked are substantially insulated from an application that asks the questions. This abstraction may be accomplished in certain example embodiments by dynamically generating a computer-accessible (e.g., web-based) survey from one or more definition files. For example, a survey may be defined via a response definition file and a user interface definition file, thereby enabling the definition files to be read and the survey to be presented with the appropriate questions, validations, and transformations being specified by the response definition life, and with the look and feel being specified by the user interface definition file. Answers to questions may be persisted for a respondent in a storage location remote from the respondent. Such online surveys systems and/or methods may be suitable for census-related activities.

Abstract: An exemplary apparatus for monitoring power of RF energy includes a transmit/receive switch configured to switch an antenna between a transmitter state and a receiver state. The switch includes a diode. The exemplary apparatus can include an output device configured to monitor voltage across the diode of the switch to detect power of RF energy of the antenna. An exemplary method of monitoring power during transmission or reception of a signal can include placing a transmit/receive switch configured to switch an antenna between a transmitter and a receiver into one of a receiver state or a transmitter state. The exemplary method can include detecting voltage across a diode configured as a switching element in the transmit/receive switch to monitor power, and providing an output indicative of the monitored power.

Abstract: A method for carbon nanotube synthesis can include providing in a growth chamber, a substrate in close proximity with a surface of a first plate having a catalyst. The method can also include heating the growth chamber to a temperature sufficient to cause transfer of catalytic particles from the first plate to the substrate. The method can also include growing carbon nanotubes on the substrate by directing feed gas to the substrate.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting the release of a chemical, biological, or radiological agent are disclosed. In some embodiments, a microphone is used to continuously monitor sound and acquire acoustic data and a sensor is used to substantially continuously monitor a property that is related to a chemical, biological, or radiological agent. The acoustic data is analyzed for a signature that is distinguishable from background sound. The sensor data is analyzed for an event that is indicative of the release of a chemical, biological, or radiological agent. The acoustic signature, and the time at which it is observed, is used to corroborate the sensor data.

Abstract: A fiber optic harness testing apparatus and method of forming termini for a harness testing apparatus, are provided. The apparatus can include an analyzer to determine an attenuation value between an electrical form transmit test signal and an electrical form return test signal to determine an attenuation across one or more optical fibers of a fiber-optic harness under test, and a plurality of electrical test leads each including a test lead connector adapted to mechanically and optically interface the electrically conductive test leads and the analyzer with the fiber-optic harness under test. Each test lead connector can include a set of test lead connector termini. Each test lead connector terminus can include an optically active element to optically interface with a corresponding fiber-optic harness connector terminus positioned in one or more of the connectors of the fiber-optic harness under test.

Abstract: An arrangement for clamping a flat plate to a flat surface includes juxtaposing the plate to the flat surface. An axially-movable wedging element defining a surface fitted with wedges is fixed against motion in other than a direction of elongation, and is forced to move in the direction of elongation. The wedges are forced against a first spring beam to impart forces thereto. The forces are coupled from the first spring beam to a second spring beam by intermediary supports. The second spring beam bears against a surface of the flat plate to force the plate against the flat surface.

Abstract: A munition includes a penetrator casing; and a payload, the payload composed of an explosive material dispersed in a metallic binder material. Related methods are also described. A method is also provided that includes forming an energetic material, combining the energetic material with a metallic binder material to form a mixture, and shaping the mixture to form a composite structural munition component.

Abstract: Systems and methods to provide distributed flow control actuation to manage the behavior of a global flow field, are provided. An example of a system can include an aerodynamic structure having an outer surface, and an array of a plurality of effectors connected to the outer surface of the aerodynamic structure to be in fluid contact with a flowing fluid when operationally flowing, to induce controlled, globally distributed disturbances at a viscous wall sublayer of a turbulent boundary layer of the flowing fluid when operationally flowing and to manipulate fluid behavior of the flowing fluid to thereby substantially reduce pressure loss associated with incipient separation of the fluid flow from portions of the aerodynamic structure.

Abstract: An apparatus having at least one carbon nanotube growth zone having a substrate inlet sized to allow a spoolable length substrate to pass therethrough. The apparatus also has at least one heater in thermal communication with the carbon nanotube growth zone. The apparatus has at least one feed gas inlet in fluid communication with the carbon nanotube growth zone. The apparatus is open to an atmospheric environment during operation.